Pain Treatment Does Not Equal Drug Abuse

Updated July 28, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

Drug abuse and undertreated pain are both serious public health crises, but the solution to one should not worsen the other. Laura Landro's July 13 article, "The Informed Patient: Patients Press Doctors on Pain Issues," brought forward some of the more relevant issues faced by physicians who treat patients for pain.

It was refreshing to read an article that addressed these topics head on, especially in regard to the legal risks that many physicians perceive as they consider prescribing strong medicines for pain....